But we want to know more, Father. You have been to the King. Have you nothing to tell us?" Nay, I was not your ambassador. I had no commission from the Signiory or from the Ten, though I was asked to go by some friends. So, not having been sent by you, I have no occasion to report to you the results of my embassy. I have reported it to Him who sent me. But I will tell you this: I went, and I sowed good seed, which in its time will sprout and grow, and you shall gather the harvest and shall eat. Oh, Father, this is a parable; we want plain words." Well, then, I will explain it.1 I went on your behalf, and out of the love which I bear to you. Do you think I would risk my life were I not certain of the truth of the things which I tell you?

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I went to his Majesty, and I told him certain things which if he shall do, it will be well with him -well for his soul and for his kingdom and for his subjects. I told him that he must stand well with Florence, and act well by Florence, and that if he would not do it for love, he should do it perforce; that if he should so act it will be well with him, but woe to him if he does not so act; and I told him in detail (though I will not tell you, for it is not fitting that I should) what will befall him. He heard me with kindness, and promised me to do what I bade him, and he promised it to you, and I tell you again that if he does not fulfil what he has promised per amore, he shall do it perforce. And it is God Himself, who speaks in me, who will make him do it. . . .

1 In the sermon, as it stands, he postpones the explanation, and afterwards returns to the subject. We omit the intervening portion.

This I say in conclusion, that God has opened His hand to this "barber," the King of France, and has given him all that he wanted in Italy; but if he fails to do what I have told him, I tell you, and I would have all the world to know, that God will withdraw His hand. And if he fails to perform for the Florentines what I have bidden him to do, nevertheless we shall have everything, if not of his goodwill, then perforce. Meanwhile, our arms must be prayer and fasting.1

"LAZARUS, COME FORTH!"

OME hither, thou profligate Church. I gave thee, saith the Lord, beautiful garments, and ye have made idols of them. The sacred vessels have served your pride, the sacraments have been turned to simony; by your vices you have become a shameless harlot; you are worse than a brute beast, you are a horrible monster! There was a time when you were ashamed of your sins, but that is no more So. There was a time when priests called their sons nephews; now they are no longer nephews, but sons sons and no mistake. .. O harlot Church, you have made your deformity known to all the world, and the stench of your foulness has risen up to heaven. . . . Behold, I will stretch forth my hands, saith the Lord, I will come upon thee, thou profligate and wicked one; my sword shall be

1 The word "barber " is an allusion to the "hired razor" of Isaiah vii. 20. It was one of Fra Girolamo's favourite predictions (and a remarkably true one) that God would send "many barbers" into Italy, of whom Charles VIII was only the first.

upon thy children, . . . upon thy harlots, and upon thy palaces, and my justice shall be made known. Heaven, earth, angels, good men and wicked shall accuse thee, and no one shall stand up for thee; I will deliver thee into the hands of those that hate thee.

O ye priests and friars, you by your bad example have buried this people in the grave of ceremonies. I tell you that this grave must be broken open, because Christ wishes to raise up His Church again in spirit. ... We must all pray for this renewal. Write to France, to Germany, write to every place: This Friar says that you must all have recourse to the Lord, and pray that the Lord may vouchsafe to come. Do you suppose that we alone are good? that there are no servants of God in other places? Jesus Christ has many servants; there are many such in Germany, in France, in Spain, who now lie hidden, and mourn over this disease of the Church. In every city, and town, and village, in every religious order, there are those who have a share in this fire. These send to ask me to say a word in their ear, and I answer: Stay quiet till you shall hear the summons: Lazarus, come forth!"

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As for me, I stand here because the Lord has sent me to you, and I wait till He shall call me. Then will I utter a loud cry which shall be heard in all Christendom, and shall make the body of the Church to tremble, even as the voice of God made that of Lazarus to tremble.

TH

THE SEA OF POLITICS

HE Lord has driven my barque into the open the wind drives me forward, and

sea,

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the Lord forbids my return. . . . I communed last night with the Lord, and said: "Pity me, O Lord; lead me back to my haven." "It is impossible; see you not that the wind is contrary?" "I will preach, if so I must; but why need I meddle with the government of Florence?" "If thou wouldst make Florence a holy city, thou must establish her on firm foundations, and give her a government which favours virtue." But, Lord, I am not sufficient for these things." Knowest thou not that God chooses the weak of this world to confound the mighty? Thou art the instrument; I am the doer." Then was I convinced, and cried: "Lord, I will do Thy will; but tell me what shall be my reward? "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard." "But in this life, Lord?" 'My son, the servant is not above his master. The Jews made Me die on the cross; a like lot awaits thee." Yea, Lord, let me die as Thou didst die for me." Then he said: Wait yet awhile; let that be done which must be done, then arm thyself with courage."

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